Q.405 Indo-Nepal Connectivity

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is working on any scheme to include the major routes linking Nepal in the Indo-Nepal connectivity;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which this scheme is likely to be implemented?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) Yes.

(b) The Government of India is assisting the Government of Nepal in the development and upgradation of border infrastructure including (i) Road, (ii) Rail Linkages and (iii) Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along the India-Nepal border. In Phase I upgradation of around 660 Kms of roads to paved roads standard in the Terai region of Nepal, two cross-border rail links at Jogbani-Biratnagar & Jayanagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and development of two ICPs at Birgunj & Biratnagar are being implemented. The Mahendranagar-Tanakpur road link is proposed to be constructed to connect Western Nepal to India. The development of border infrastructure will enhance India’s connectivity with the Terai region of Nepal and strengthen economic linkages between the two countries.

(c) The completion time for the roads is thirty months from the date of award of contract, approximately three years for the rail links and fourteen months for the ICPs from the date of award of contract.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216668.

Lok Sabha